EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS, BILLING CODES AND RATES

Transcription

1 EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS, BILLING CODES AND RATES Illinois Department of Human Services Community Health and Prevention Bureau of Early Intervention March 2004

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION...ii IMPORTANT TIPS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT EARLY INTERVENTION...iii ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES)... 1 AUDIOLOGY, AURAL REHABILITATION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES... 3 DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY... 5 FAMILY TRAINING AND SUPPORT... 7 HEALTH CONSULTATION... 9 MEDICAL SERVICES (DIAGNOSTIC/EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY) NURSING NUTRITION OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY PSYCHOLOGICAL AND OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES SERVICE COORDINATION SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES SPEECH LANGUAGE THERAPY TRANSPORTATION VISION DEFINITIONS ATTACHMENT 1: EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICE REPORT GUIDELINES ATTACHMENT 2: USE OF ASSOCIATE LEVEL PROVIDERS ATTACHMENT 3: REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL AND ASSOCIATE LEVEL EARLY INTERVENTION CREDENTIALING AND ENROLLMENT TO BILL ATTACHMENT 4: PROCEDURE TO ORDER EYEGLASSES ATTACHMENT 5: NON-BILLABLE ACTIVITIES ATTACHMENT 6: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT 09/ ATTACHMENT 7: EARLY INTERVENTION PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSURANCE USE DETERMINATION ii.

3 Illinois Department of Human Services Early Intervention Service Descriptions, Billing Codes and Rates Introduction Thank you for your interest in becoming an enrolled provider with the Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Services System to serve eligible infants and toddlers under age three and their families. Following are service descriptions in alphabetical order showing billing codes, modifiers if required, and rates for your use. In addition, beginning on page 29 are definitions of several important terms used throughout the document. Additional references are in the attachments as outlined below. Please read this document carefully and all of the attachments. If you do not fully understand this information, please contact the Bureau of Early Intervention at 217/ for technical assistance. Attachment 1: Early Intervention Service Report Attachment 2: Use Of Associate Level Providers Attachment 3: Requirements For Professional And Associate Level Attachment 4: Procedure To Order Eyeglasses Attachment 5: Non-Billable Activities Attachment 6: Assistive Technology Equipment The Early Intervention program utilizes many models of service delivery which range from segregated (one on one intensive therapy) to the most integrated. All services are based upon the unique needs of the child/family and focus on the coordination of developmental and therapeutic activities to ensure that all members of the team involved in a child s intervention are working together. The following philosophy applies to Early Intervention: $ The family is viewed as the primary interventionist in a child s life and the expert in relation to the needs of the child and family. $ The family and service providers involved in a child s intervention establish a working partnership based on an open exchange of information and expertise. $ Developmental and therapeutic activities are incorporated into a child s everyday life to naturally emphasize the acquisition of functional skills. If You Have Questions... Below are resources you may find useful if you have questions about the Early Intervention Services System. DHS -Bureau of Early Intervention The Department of Human Services, as the lead agency for Early Intervention in Illinois, has established the Bureau of Early Intervention to administer the statewide Early Intervention Services System. Questions concerning the system, or the service descriptions, billing codes and rates should be directed to the DHS Bureau of Early Intervention at 217/ You should access the DHS Early Intervention website at for current information and documents that pertain to Early Intervention Policy and Procedures. ii.

4 Provider Connections Provider Connections is the credentialing/enrollment office for the Early Intervention Services System. The EI credentialing and Central Billing Office (CBO) enrollment processes begin at Provider Connections. If you need credentialing/enrollment forms or have questions regarding form completion, call Provider Connections at 800/ for assistance or access their web page at Illinois Early Intervention Training The Illinois Early Intervention (EI) Training Program provides training and professional development opportunities to individuals and agencies who provide services to Illinois' birth to three early intervention population. Training is provided in both workshop and video formats. The EI Training Program cosponsors and provides EI credentialing hours for additional training events held by other training entities, develops a quarterly training newsletter and maintains a training website at or you may contact the Illinois EI Training Program at 866/ , ext.23. Department of Human Services Central Billing Office - Cornerstone Call Center The Early Intervention Central Billing Office is supported by the Illinois Primary Health Care Association Cornerstone Call Center. The Call Center operates Monday through Friday from 7:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. Call Center staff, in conjunction with Central Billing Office staff, are trained to answer questions regarding the service authorization process as well as billing inquiries. Providers receive a packet of billing instructions and forms upon CBO enrollment and this packet will provide many of the answers to questions you might encounter. You can reach the Call Center at 800/ Illinois Early Childhood Intervention Clearinghouse The Clearinghouse provides library and information services to residents of Illinois interested in early intervention issues. The project provides access to a large lending library of books, videos and articles and is a free resource to access information on health, educational, disability and developmental concerns of infants and young children. Other Illinois libraries are available through interlibrary loan. For more information contact the Clearinghouse toll-free at 800/ or visit the interactive web site at ii.

5 IMPORTANT TIPS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT EARLY INTERVENTION Early Intervention (EI) is a developmental program serving children birth to three with developmental delays, disabilities and at-risk conditions. All services are pre-authorized. Never provide services without an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. The exception to this rule is the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meeting. Providers will receive authorization for IFSP meetings based upon attendance. Providers must attend the entire IFSP meeting in order to receive authorization for payment. Provisional EI services require prior approval from the Department. All providers of EI services, including associate level providers, must obtain an EI credential and enroll with the Central Billing Office prior to provision of services. Exceptions to the credential requirement are deaf mentors, interpreters, physicians, optometrists, opthalmologists, and transportation providers. These disciplines are only required to enroll. Providers who bill and receive payment for services that are provided by a non-credential provider (if a credential is required) will be required to submit a refund for those services upon identification of this problem. Early Intervention does not pay for therapeutic services required due to, or as part of, a medical procedure, a medical intervention or an injury. Acute rehabilitative therapy and therapy required as part of a medical procedure, medical intervention or injury, is not developmentally-based but is medically-based. Once the condition has become chronic or sub-acute the therapy for the on-going developmental delay can be provided by EI. Evaluation and assessment services for the purpose of determining eligibility, participating in the development of an initial comprehensive IFSP, and adding new types of services to existing IFSPs must be provided by a provider with an active Evaluation/Assessment credential. All initial and ongoing evaluation and assessment reports must be submitted to the Child and Family Connections Office (CFC) in the most current DHS Evaluation/Assessment Report Format (see Attachment 1). Reports not submitted in the most current format will not be accepted by the CFC. All providers of EI services are required under their Early Intervention Service Provider Agreement to have access to the Internet. Providers should access the EI website at regularly for current information that may affect the provision of Early Intervention services or the billing and payment of those services (ex., billing forms, current Evaluation/Assessment format, EI policy). Utilization of private insurance benefits is mandatory to the extent allowed by EI Program policy and/or the insurance plan/policy. Providers must verify insurance company coverage of benefits and comply with insurance company requirements, including network enrollment and documentation requests as outlined in DHS policy, unless insurance use has been exempted by the Department or the service is required to be provided at public expense. Services that are provided at public expense include evaluation, assessment, and IFSP development time and should only be billed to the Early Intervention Central Billing Office (CBO). CFCs cannot generate/backdate an insurance waiver that would apply toward dates of service that have been previously provided to the child/family. Accepting waivers post service delivery is contrary to EI policy. Providers should not bill the family directly for any EI service, unless the insurance payment was paid to the family versus the provider and the provider has a copy of the signed Child and Family Connections Insurance Affidavit, Assignment and Release Form in hand. This form is signed by iii.

6 the family and the CFC is responsible for making a copy of the signed form available to all providers identified on a child s IFSP. Providers must accept the insurance payment in full, unless the payment is less than the EI rate. If the insurance payment is less than the EI rate, submit a claim for payment to the CBO and attach a copy of the insurance Explanation of Benefit to your claim. The CBO will pay the difference between the insurance rate and the Early Intervention rate. Bill for attendance at a child s Multidisciplinary Conference (MDC) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings held prior to a child s third birthday using direct service procedure codes. MDC and IEP meetings are considered support to the family and fall under the family training, education and support component of each service description. These are not IFSP meetings and should not be billed as IFSP development time. All providers should review the definition of IFSP Development found in the definition section of this document. Do not bill for any type of service using IFSP development procedure codes unless that service is identified in this definition. All providers should review the definition of documentation found in the definition section of this document. Daily documentation is required to support the billing and payment of all EI services, including IFSP development time. In an audit or a compliance review documentation will be reviewed. A refund will be required for all dates of service for which a provider cannot produce supporting documentation. For EI documentation means daily record notes that summarize each date of service. A weekly or monthly note is not acceptable. Time in/time out sheets are not considered documentation, but are viewed as additional support to documentation, especially if the parent or care giver has signed this sheet. All providers are required to maintain documentation for a period of at least six years from a child s completion of EI services and permit access to those records by the entities identified in the definition of documentation found in the definition section of this document. Never ask a parent or care giver to sign blank case notes or time in/time out sheets for future dates of service. This is not an acceptable practice. Every time the CBO makes payment to a provider, both the family and the provider receive an Explanation of Benefit (EOB). The Parent EOB notifies the family of all dates of service billed and paid to each of their providers. Families are asked to review their EOB s and to call the CBO Call Center if a provider has been paid for a date of service that their child did not receive. EI Bureau staff investigate each of these complaints. If it is determined that the provider billed for a date of service that was not actually provided or that there is no documentation to support, the provider will be required to submit a refund to the CBO. That if a provider bills for one hour of therapy, the provider must have actually delivered that therapy. For EI, rounding up of time for billing purposes is not allowed. Once a provider accepts an authorization, the provider commits to provision of services based upon a frequency, intensity and duration that has been identified as a need on a child s IFSP. iii.

7 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES) Service Description: Assistive technology device means any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether a vendor stock item, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve the developmental capabilities of children with disabilities. Authorization to obtain assistive technology devices is based upon prior approval. The request for authorization to obtain an assistive technology device must be accompanied by: 1) a physician prescription and certification of medical/developmental necessity under the above conditions; and 2) an assistive technology evaluation by an occupational, physical, or speech therapist or audiologist indicating the child s needs, completed no earlier than six months prior to the request for the assistive technology and must be identified as a need in the family s Service Plan. It is recommended that lending libraries be utilized to meet the short-term needs of infants and toddlers eligible for this program for the purpose of acquiring/using toys and other equipment which may or may not be adapted for the child. Linking the provision of the device to an education benefit is not appropriate. Assistive technology devices are covered only if they relate to the developmental needs of the infants and toddlers served by the program. Early intervention does not cover provision of assistive technology devices to meet the medical, life sustaining, or routine daily needs of a child. Assistive technology service means a service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Assistive technology services include 1) determining the durable medical equipment and supply needs of a child with a disability; 2) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities; 3) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices; 4) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing rehabilitation plans and programs; 5) training or technical assistance for a child with disabilities or, if appropriate, that child s family; and 6) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing early intervention services) or other individuals who provide services to or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of the child. Assistive technology services rendered by enrolled durable medical equipment and supplies providers are included in the cost of the device. Assistive technology evaluation services rendered by other qualified providers should be billed under the service description for their discipline. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: Early Intervention System enrolled durable medical equipment and supplies providers. (See Attachment 3 for enrollment requirements and Attachment 6 for assistive technology codes and pricing information.) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing the acquisition of assistive technology devices and providing related assistive technology services. 1

8 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY - cont. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Unit of Service Description Customary Review Parameters Rate Bill using HCPCS National Level II codes for assistive technology devices at quantity and rate posted on prior approval. (See Attachment 6) 2

9 AUDIOLOGY, AURAL REHABILITATION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES Service Description: Audiology, aural rehabilitation, and other related services include: 1) identification of children with hearing loss using appropriate audiologic screening techniques; 2) determination of the range, nature and degree of hearing loss and communication functions by use of audiological evaluation procedures; 3) referral for medical testing and other services necessary for the habilitation or rehabilitation of children with hearing loss; 4) IFSP development; 5) provision of auditory training, aural rehabilitation, speech reading and listening device orientation/training and other related services; and 6) determination of the child s need for individual amplification including selecting, fitting, and dispensing appropriate listening and vibrotactile devices, and evaluating the effectiveness of those assistive technology devices. Family training, education, and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to audiology and aural rehabilitation services and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. NOTE: Early Intervention does not pay for therapeutic services required for a child to recover from medical procedures such as surgery, etc., or for pre-surgery therapeutic services required by a physician to prepare a child for surgery. Qualified Staff: Early Intervention Specialists credentialed as 1) a Licensed Audiologist, 2) Licensed Speech/Language Pathologist, 3) School Speech/Language Therapist employed by a school district, or 4) Developmental Therapist/Hearing (See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Billable Activities With Authorization: Audiological examination, hearing aid assessment, aural rehabilitation (A/R) and other related services, IFSP development (see page 31 for definition) and direct services. NOTE: Bill for time required to develop assistive technology requests using IFSP development code. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Unit of Service Description Rate For use by Licensed Audiologists. V5008 n/a Examination by an audiologist $55.62 V5010 n/a Hearing aid assessment $

10 AUDIOLOGY, AURAL REHABILITATION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES - cont. Procedure Codes Modifier Unit of Service Description Rate For use by Audiologists, Speech Therapists, School Speech Therapists and Developmental Therapists/Hearing. (must have authorization to provide Aural Rehabilitation services to bill the codes listed below.) TL 15 minutes A/R assessment - onsite $ TL 15 minutes A/R assessment - offsite $ TL 15 minutes A/R IFSP development $ TL 15 minutes A/R IFSP meeting $ TL 15 minutes A/R services - onsite $ TL 15 minutes A/R services - offsite $17.61 Group A/R services (multiple families or TL 15 minutes group not to exceed 4 children) $

11 DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY Service Description: Developmental therapy (DT) includes evaluation and assessment, IFSP development (see definition of IFSP development) and individual or group therapy services. Developmental Therapy may also be called Special Instruction and includes the design of learning environments and activities that promote the child s acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental areas, and provision of information and support related to enhancing the skill development of the child that enables the child to attain maximum functional level. These activities are coordinated with all other services in the plan and provide assistance with acquisition, retention or improvement in skills related to activities of daily living such as feeding and dressing, communicating with care givers, and the social and adaptive skills to enable the child to reside in his/her home or noninstitutional community setting. Family training, education, and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to developmental therapy services and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Aural Rehabilitation services for Early Intervention are defined on page 3. To provide and bill Aural Rehabilitation services the provider must be credentialed and enrolled as a Developmental Therapist/Hearing and have an authorization for Aural Rehabilitation services. Vision services for Early Intervention are defined on page 27. To provide and bill for Vision Services the provider must be credentialed and enrolled as a Developmental Therapist/Vision and have a authorization for Vision services. Services must be consistent with the provider s training and qualifications. NOTE: Early Intervention does not pay for therapeutic services required for a child to recover from medical procedures such as surgery, etc., or for presurgery therapeutic services required by a physician to prepare a child for surgery. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: 1) Enrolled Specialist credentialed as a Developmental Therapist or 2) a nonenrolled Associate credentialed as a Developmental Therapy Assistant. Developmental Therapy Assistants must work under the supervision of an enrolled Developmental Therapist. (See IFSP definition on page 31 and Attachment 2, Use of Associate Level Providers for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Global evaluation, assessment, IFSP development, (see definition on page 31) and direct service. 5

12 DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY - cont. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Modifier Unit of Service Description Rate T1024 T1024 T1027 T1027 T1027 HQ 15 minutes Evaluation/Assessment - onsite $ minutes Evaluation/Assessment - offsite $ minutes IFSP Development $ minutes IFSP Meeting $ minutes Individual DT - onsite $ minutes Individual DT - offsite $ minutes Group DT (multiple families or group not to exceed 4 children) Billing codes for Vision Services for Early Intervention are listed on page 27. Billing codes for Aural Rehabilitation and related services for Early Intervention are listed on page 4. $

13 FAMILY TRAINING AND SUPPORT Service Description: Family training and support means family training, education and support services provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to the providers specific discipline and enhancing the child s development. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training for the family. Parent Liaison The role of the parent liaison as a direct service provider is to draw from his/her knowledge and personal experience to bring sensitivity, emotional support, and a peer perspective to families as they learn about the Early Intervention Program and to develop and coordinate parent-to-parent linkages. Services may be provided on an individual basis or as a leader/co-leader of a parent support group. Services are based upon the individual needs of the child/family as determined by the child s multidisciplinary team and identified on the Service Plan. Interpreter Bilingual interpreter services necessary during the rendering of other Early Intervention services in order to communicate with the child and family and written translation of Early Intervention documents into the child/family s native language are billable under this service. If the interpreter is authorized to interpret service sessions for a provider/family, the interpreter may assist that provider in scheduling service appointments for that family. Does not include bilingual interpreter services that would otherwise be provided at no charge to the family or bilingual interpreter services by the same person rendering the service. (See Attachment 5: Non-Billable Activities) Deaf Mentor Deaf Mentor Services provided by a language mentor for the deaf who interacts with the child by modeling language in the chosen communication mode, shares information about deaf culture and provides firsthand knowledge of deafness with the family and introduces the family to the local deaf community. Parent Liaisons, Interpreters and Deaf Mentors do not provide evaluation/assessment services to determine a child s eligibility for services. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications. Family Training and Support does not include services that require a license, such as counseling services that must be provided by a licensed social worker, clinical psychologist, marriage and family therapist, etc. or discussion of non-early Intervention related activities with the family over the phone. Qualified Staff: Enrolled individual credentialed as a Parent Liaison, or an enrolled Interpreter or enrolled Deaf Mentor. (See Definitions for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) 7

14 FAMILY TRAINING AND SUPPORT - cont. Billable Activities With Authorization: IFSP development (see page 31 for definition) and family training, education and support that is not billable under other Early Intervention services. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. CODES FOR USE BY PARENT LIAISONS AND DEAF MENTORS, ONLY Procedure Codes Modifiers Unit of Service Description Rate T1024 TL 15 minutes IFSP development $10.71 T1024 TL 15 minutes IFSP Meeting $13.50 Family training and support - onsite $10.71 T1027 TL 15 minutes (one family) T1027 TL 15 minutes Family training and support - offsite $13.50 T1027 TL, HQ 15 minutes Group family training and support (multiple families) $ 2.68 CODES FOR USE BY INTERPRETERS, ONLY Procedure Unit of Codes Modifiers Service Description Rate T minutes Family training and support onsite $10.71 T minutes Family training and support - offsite $13.50 T1013 HQ 15 minutes Group family training and support $

15 HEALTH CONSULTATION Service Description: Health consultation is consultation by a licensed physician, as defined in the Service Plan, who has provided medical treatment to the child within the past year with members of the child s service team who are identified in the child s Service Plan or the child s family concerning the impact of special health care needs of an eligible child on the provision of services. Consultation services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: System enrolled Physician licensed in the state where he or she provides services to Illinois children. (Physicians are not required to obtain a credential but must be enrolled to provide EI services.) Physician consultation regarding impact of the child s medical status on provision of EI services. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Unit of Service Description Rate N/A Health/Physician to EI Provider $ N/A Health/Physician to EI eligible Family $

16 MEDICAL SERVICES (DIAGNOSTIC/EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY FOR EARLY INTERVENTION) Service Description: Medical services only for diagnostic and evaluation purposes means services provided by a licensed physician or a multidisciplinary team (if needed) under the direction of a licensed physician to determine a child s developmental status and need for services. Medical diagnostic services may be appropriate when 1) the child s record documents that other evaluations have failed to determine the child s eligibility for services and the child is likely to be determined eligible if additional developmental diagnostic services are provided, or 2) to establish a diagnosis which would potentially meet the eligibility parameters for services. Medical referrals may be required if the need for medical testing is identified. Consultation with other medical providers, if needed, is considered a part of the diagnostic evaluation and should not be billed separately. The evaluation report must conform to the Service Report Guidelines (see Attachment 1) which require in part a statement of the child s eligibility, developmental status, and intervention recommendations for use in development of the Plan. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Team members must be individually enrolled to provide Early Intervention Services under their respective disciplines and have an authorization under their discipline to provide and bill for this service. Team members should use the codes found under their respective disciplines for billing purposes. The only other medical or health-related services which are covered by EI (other than the above diagnostic/evaluation medical services) are defined under Nursing and Health Consultation. Medical and health services do not include the following: (1) services that are- (i) Surgical in nature (such as cleft palate surgery, surgery for club foot, or the shunting of hydrocephalus); or (ii) Purely medical in nature (such as hospitalization for management of congenital heart ailments, or the prescribing of medicine or drugs for any purpose). (2) Devices necessary to control or treat a medical condition. (3) Medical-health services (such as immunizations and regular well-baby care) that are routinely recommended for all children. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: A system enrolled Physician licensed by the state in which he or she provides EI services to Illinois children. (See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Evaluation to determine the child s developmental status and need for EI services. Early Intervention will pay for one (1) medical Diagnostic Evaluation prior to the initial service plan or one (1) encounter during the initial Service Plan. Early Intervention will pay for one (1) Medical Diagnostic Evaluation prior to each annual Service Plan after the expiration of the initial Service Plan. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Unit of Service Description Rate N/A Medical Diagnostic Evaluation $

17 NURSING Service Description: Nursing services for the purposes of: 1) Global evaluation to determine a child s developmental status and need for early intervention services (See definition on pages 31 and 32); 2) Assessment to determine a child s health status, including the identification of patterns of human response to actual or potential health problems and the identification of the need for medical referrals; 3) Provision of nursing care during the time the child is receiving other early intervention services, as required to allow the child to participate in EI services, such as: administration of medications, treatments, and regimens prescribed by a licensed physician; and clean intermittent catheterization, tracheostomy care, tube feeding, the changing of dressings or colostomy collection bags, and other health services as required to allow the child to participate in EI services. 4) Does not include hospital or home health nursing care required due to surgical or medical intervention, or an injury, or medical-health services such as immunizations and regular well-baby care that are routinely recommended for all children. Family training, education and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to nursing services and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: System enrolled Specialist credentialed as a Licensed Registered Nurse. (See definitions for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Evaluation / assessment, IFSP development (See page 31 for definition) and direct service. 11

18 NURSING - cont. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Modifier Unit of Service Description Rate T minutes Evaluation / Assessment- onsite $11.39 T minutes Evaluation / Assessment - offsite $ minutes IFSP development $ minutes IFSP meeting $14.36 T minutes Nursing services - onsite $11.39 T minutes Nursing services - offsite $14.36 T1002 HQ 15 minutes Group Nursing services (multiple families or group not to exceed 4 children) See Nutrition for additional service activities and billing codes. $

19 NUTRITION Service Description: Nutrition services for the purposes of: 1) Conducting individual assessments in nutritional history and dietary intake, anthropometric, biochemical and clinical variables, feeding skills and feeding problems, and food habits and food preferences; 2) Developing and monitoring appropriate plans to address the nutritional needs of eligible children based upon individual assessment; and 3) Making referrals to appropriate community resources to achieve individual planned nutrition outcomes. Family training, education and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for EI services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to nutritional services and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Nutrition providers do not provide evaluation/assessment services to determine eligibility for the Early Intervention program. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: System enrolled Specialist credentialed as 1) a Licensed Dietitian, 2) Licensed Nutrition Counselor or 3) Licensed Registered Nurse. (See definitions for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Assessment, IFSP development (see page 31 for definition) and direct service. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Modifier Unit of Service Description Rate T1023 T minutes Assessment - onsite $ minutes Assessment - offsite $ minutes IFSP development $ minutes IFSP meeting $ minutes Nutrition services - onsite $ minutes Nutrition services - offsite $ minutes Group Nutrition services (multiple families or group not to exceed 4 children) $

20 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY Service Description: Occupational therapy includes services to address the functional needs of a child related to adaptive development; adaptive behavior, restoration, and play; and sensory, motor, and postural development. These services are designed to improve the child s functional ability to perform tasks in home, school, and community settings and include: 1) Evaluation, assessment, and intervention; (global evaluation not acceptable) 2) Adaptation of the environment and selection, design and fabrication of assistive and orthotic devices to facilitate development and promote the acquisition of functional skills; and 3) Prevention or minimization of the impact of initial or future impairment, delay in development, or loss of functional ability. Activities also include IFSP development, assistive technology assessment if needed, and environmental consultation to ensure that appropriate adaptations and safety issues for the eligible child are incorporated. Family training, education and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to occupational therapy services and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. NOTE: Early Intervention does not pay for therapeutic services required due to, or as part of, a medical procedure, a medical intervention or an injury. Acute rehabilitative therapy and therapy required as part of a medical procedure, medical intervention or injury, is not developmentally-based but is medicallybased. Once the condition has become chronic or sub-acute the therapy for the on-going developmental delay can be provided by EI. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: 1) System enrolled Specialist credentialed as a Licensed Occupational Therapist or 2) a non-enrolled Associate credentialed as a Licensed Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. Assistants must work under the supervision of an enrolled Licensed Occupational Therapist. (See Definitions and Attachment 2 Use of Associate Level Providers for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Evaluation / assessment, IFSP development,(see page 31 for definition) and direct services. NOTE: Bill for time required to develop assistive technology requests using IFSP development code. 14

21 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY - cont. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Modifiers Unit of Service Description Rate SC SC SC 15 minutes Evaluation/Assessment - onsite $ minutes Evaluation/Assessment - offsite $ minutes IFSP development $ minutes IFSP meeting $ minutes Individual therapy - onsite $ minutes Individual therapy - offsite $ minutes Group therapy (multiple families or group not to exceed 4 children) $

22 PHYSICAL THERAPY Service Description: Physical therapy services to address the promotion of sensorimotor function through enhancement of musculoskeletal status, neurobehavioral organization, perceptual and motor development, cardiopulmonary status, and effective environmental adaptation. These services include: 1) Evaluation and assessment of infants and toddlers to identify movement dysfunction; (global evaluation not acceptable) 2) Obtaining, interpreting, and integrating information appropriate to program planning to prevent, alleviate, or compensate for movement dysfunction and related functional problems; and 3) Providing individual and group services or treatment to prevent, alleviate, or compensate for movement dysfunction and related functional problems. Activities also include IFSP development and assistive technology assessment, if needed, and environmental consultation to ensure that appropriate adaptations and safety issues for the eligible child are incorporated. Family training, education and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to physical therapy services and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. NOTE: Early Intervention does not pay for therapeutic services required due to, or as part of, a medical procedure, a medical intervention or an injury. Acute rehabilitative therapy and therapy required as part of a medical procedure, medical intervention or injury, is not developmentally-based but is medicallybased. Once the condition has become chronic or sub-acute the therapy for the on-going developmental delay can be provided by EI. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities With Authorization: 1) System enrolled Specialist credentialed as a Licensed Physical Therapist or 2) a non-enrolled Associate credentialed as a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Assistants must work under the supervision of an enrolled Licensed Physical Therapist. (See Definitions and Attachment 2 Use of Associate Level Providers for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Evaluation / assessment, IFSP development, (see page 31 for definition) and direct services. NOTE: Bill for time required to develop assistive technology requests using IFSP development code. 16

23 PHYSICAL THERAPY - cont. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Modifier Unit of Service Description Rate SE SE SE 15 minutes Evaluation / Assessment - onsite $ minutes Evaluation / Assessment - offsite $ minutes IFSP development $ minutes IFSP meeting $ minutes Individual therapy - onsite $ minutes Individual therapy - offsite $ minutes Group therapy (multiple families or group not to exceed 4 children) $

24 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES Service Description: Psychological and other counseling services are diagnostic or active treatments as required by the child s Service Plan provided with the intent to reasonably improve the child s physical or mental conditions. Services include: 1) Global evaluation to determine a child s developmental status and need for early intervention services (See definition on pages 31 and 32); 2) Administering psychological or developmental tests and other assessment procedures to determine the need for psychological or other counseling services; 3) Interpreting assessment results; 4) Obtaining, integrating and interpreting information about child behavior and child and family conditions related to learning, mental health and development; and 5) Planning and managing a program of psychological or other counseling services, including psychological or other counseling for children and parents, family counseling, consultation on child development, parent training, and education programs. Family training, education and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to the services that the provider is licensed to provide and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Qualified Staff: Billable Activities Authorization: 1) System enrolled Specialist credentialed as a) a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, b) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, c) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, d) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or e) School Psychologist employed by a school district, or 2) a non-enrolled Associate credentialed as a Psychology Intern. Interns must be under the direction of their internship supervisor, who must be an enrolled Specialist in one of the above licensed fields. (See Definitions and Attachment 2 for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Evaluation, assessment, IFSP development (see page 31 for definition) and direct services. 18

25 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES - cont. Do not provide services without having an authorization in hand. Services provided without a pre-approved authorization are not guaranteed for payment. Procedure Codes Modifier Unit of Service Description Rate 15 minutes Evaluation / Assessment - onsite $ minutes Evaluation / Assessment - offsite $ minutes IFSP development $ minutes IFSP meeting $ minutes Individual treatment - onsite $ minutes Individual treatment - offsite $ minutes Group treatment (multiple families or group not to exceed 4 children) $

26 SERVICE COORDINATION Service Description: Service coordination services carried out by a Service Coordinator to assist and enable an eligible child and the child s family to receive the rights, procedural safeguards, and services that are authorized to be provided through the State s Early Intervention program. The responsibilities of a Service Coordinator include, but are not limited to: 1) Contact with the Early intervention enrolled child/family at least one time per month; 2) Coordinating the activities for implementation of the service plan; 3) Coordinating the performance of initial & annual evaluations/assessments; 4) Facilitating and participating in the development, review and evaluation of the Service Plan. This includes Service Plan updates, six (6) month reviews and the annual evaluation of the Service Plan; 5) Assisting families in identifying credentialed/enrolled/available service providers; 6) Coordinating and monitoring the delivery of services identified in the child s Service Plan; 7) Informing families of their rights and the availability of advocacy services; 8) Helping families to access other needed services such as WIC, housing, etc; 9) Coordinating with medical and health providers, including requests for medical records and other medical documentation from physicians, hospitals, nurses, etc. 10) Facilitating the development and implementation of a transition plan to preschool or other services, if appropriate; and 11) Maintenance of the child s comprehensive permanent record at the Child and Family Connections office. Maintenance includes: Evaluation/Assessment and six month summary reports from all providers who participate as a member of each child s service team; Notes on the progress of the child s transition plan implementation which is to begin at age two (2) years, six (6) months. Service Plan updates; and Any other documentation required to keep the child s permanent record updated. 20

27 SERVICE COORDINATION, cont. Service coordinators do not provide evaluation/assessment services to determine a child s eligibility for services, but are integral members of the service team. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications. Service Coordinators are required to follow written procedures that are outlined in the Child and Family Connections Procedure Manual and to implement policy as set forth by the DHS Bureau of Early Intervention. Qualified Staff: Effective 8/31/00: System enrolled individual credentialed as a Service Coordinator. (See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) Service Coordination services are provided by service coordinators who are employed by a Child and Family Connections office. Services are funded by grants to the Child and Family Connection offices and are not billed fee-forservice. NOTE: There is no Associate level service coordination credential. The credentialed/enrolled service coordinator is responsible for personally providing services to a child/family. 21

28 SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES Service Descriptions: Social work and other counseling services are diagnostic or active clinical treatments provided with the intent to reasonably improve the child s physical or mental condition or functioning. Social work and other counseling services include: 1) Global evaluation to determine a child s developmental status and need for early intervention services (See definition on pages 31 and 32); 2) Making home visits to assess a child s living conditions and patterns of parent-child interaction to determine the need for social work or other counseling services; 3) Preparing a social or emotional developmental assessment of the child within the family context to determine the need for social work or other counseling services; 4) Providing individual and family-group counseling with parents and other family members, and appropriate social skill-building activities with the child and parents; 5) Working with issues in the child s and family s living situation (home, community, and any center where early intervention services are provided) that affect the child s maximum utilization of early intervention services; and 6) Identifying, mobilizing, and coordinating community resources and services to enable the child and family to receive maximum benefit from early intervention services. Family training, education and support provided to assist the family of a child eligible for services in understanding the special needs of the child as related to the services that the provider is licensed to provide and enhancing the child s development are integral to this service. Eligible child is not required to be present but may be if appropriate. May include such services as support groups, individual support and other training or education for the family. Services must be consistent with the provider s qualifications and licensure. Qualified Staff: 1) System enrolled Specialist credentialed as a) a *Licensed Clinical Social Worker, b) Licensed Social Worker, c) Licensed Professional Counselor d) School Social Worker employed by a school district, e) Advance Practice Nurses who are masters prepared psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialists; or 2) a non-enrolled Associate credentialed as a Social Work Intern. Interns must be under the direction of their internship supervisor, who must be an enrolled Specialist in one of the above licensed fields. (See Definitions and Attachment 2 for more detail. See Attachment 3 for credentialing and enrollment requirements.) 22